West Midlands businesses invited to a free event focused on construction at Walsall Football Club

Birmingham Health, Safety and Environment Association (BHSEA) are inviting any business (small or large) to attend their next event - completely free of charge - on Monday 9^thOctober 2023 at Walsall Football Club.

West Midlands businesses invited to the networking event with a difference at the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution

Businesses across the West Midlands are invited to a networking event with a difference later this month, as the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust (IGMT) holds its second Business Bridge event of 2022.

Taking place on Wednesday 27th April at the Trust’s trendy cafe and restaurant the Furnace Kitchen in Coalbrookdale, the event will give businesses the opportunity to connect and network with others in the area.

West Midlands businesses offered support to mark 2022 with a move towards net zero

Businesses are being encouraged to mark the New Year by pledging to support the West Midlands’ drive to become a net zero region by 2041. And to help make the move towards a carbon free future, 100 small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) are also being offered sponsored access to Zellar, the UK’s first one-stop sustainability online platform.

The Net Zero Business Pledge was launched by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) in 2021 to provide practical help for businesses and other organisations who want to fight climate change by cutting their carbon emissions and making a faster transition to net zero.

West Midlands businesses set to benefit from the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games

Birmingham and West Midlands businesses are set for a welcome boost in tourism and trade ahead of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games this summer.

With more than one million tickets already sold for Birmingham 2022, spectators from across the region, country and beyond will be heading to the West Midlands, which will be a hive of activity.

West Midlands businesses urged to ensure transport operations are legally compliant

Calling all West Midlands businesses – do you use vehicles like vans or HGVs in your daily work?  If so, then are you and your team up to speed with the latest rules and regulations which govern their use?  Make sure you book your place at Logistics UK’s popular Transport Manager conference, which is coming to the CBS Arena, Coventry, on 1 December 2022. 

West Midlands charities celebrate share of £1million fund

For the third year running, Ecclesiastical Insurance Group is giving away £1million to charities through its Movement for Good awards. Members of the public were invited to nominate causes close to their hearts, with 500 awards of £1,000 available for donation. 

Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, Church Pastoral Aid Society and Little Hearts Matter are some of the local charities set to benefit from the money, following overwhelming public support in the county. 

More than 6,700 kind-hearted residents voted for charities across the county. In total, more than 210,000 people around the UK supported the Movement for Good awards, with over 13,000 charitable causes up and down the country receiving votes. The 500 winning charities were picked at random from those nominated.

Amazingly, a huge 86% of those who nominated a charity said they’ve donated the same amount or more during the past year, showing just how kind-hearted West Midlands residents are despite challenges posed by the COVID pandemic. Additionally, 52% said they are more likely to support a local charity than a national one, as the country emerges from lockdown. 

It’s perhaps no surprise that health causes topped the list with the most nominations, while community and animal and wildlife charities were also front of mind as popular choices. 

Thanking supporters in the West Midlands, Mark Hews, Group Chief Executive at Ecclesiastical Insurance Group, said: “We have seen an overwhelming public response to our Movement for Good awards for a third year in a row and I would like to thank every single person who took the time to nominate a good cause. It’s clear that people care deeply about those in need in their region during what has been an incredibly testing time for many. We know that £1,000 can make a huge difference to the incredible work that charities do and we’re looking forward to seeing how this financial boost will change lives for the better.

“Ecclesiastical, the fourth largest corporate donor in the UK, is a unique financial services group. We are owned by a charity which means all available profits can be given to the good causes that are so important to our customers. As a company whose purpose is to contribute to the greater good of society, charitable giving is at the heart of our business.”

Later this summer, a further 30 charities will also be chosen by a panel of judges to receive £10,000 from Ecclesiastical Insurance Group to be put towards the advancement of heritage and arts, education, rural and community, climate, human rights and equality. What’s more, two charities will benefit from an additional £50,000 each and another will receive a life changing £100,000 award.

West Midlands charity urged to take up the ‘Magic Van’ offer from AnyVan

Charities and good causes in the West Midlands are being urged to take advantage of AnyVan’s ‘Magic Van’ and give free moves to good deeds moving more donations or other items to where they are needed in the local community.

AnyVan, the UK’s leading online network of delivery vehicles, has pledged to provide the use of a free van for worthy causes who support the community in and around the West Midlands.  All organisations or individuals that want to nominate a good cause have to do is simply get in touch on anyvan.com/blog/magic-van/ Already running for the past decade across the UK, the AnyVan ‘Magic Van’ programme has assisted more than 19 local charities who strive to make a difference in the community. 

Angus Elphinstone, CEO, AnyVan, says: “Now more than ever, it is important that communities pull together in support of those less fortunate than us.   We have been running the AnyVan Magic Van scheme for over a decade and it has been brilliant seeing the positive impact it has had on many communities as charities have taken up the offer of free use of our Magic Van.

“We’ve seen everything from pianos to toys and food transported by the Magic Van over the years, but now that charities are struggling more than ever we want to accelerate the programme.” As a specialist in all aspects of transportation logistics for home removals, furniture and car deliveries to the home, as well as the manpower to make moving home effortless, AnyVan has the expertise to coordinate cost effective and efficient delivery services for a range of businesses and consumer clients.

Angus Elphinstone continues, “The consequences of the pandemic have made us refocus our attention on helping where we can and using the expertise we have in coordinating our national network to help those in need. I would urge charities and other community groups in the West Midlands to seriously consider our Magic Van offer and get in touch if we can be of help. With so many people struggling at this time we want to do more to help out where we can.”

West Midlands consultancy expands with senior planner hire

Following a significant increase in demand for planning services in the West Midlands, Marrons Planning is growing its presence with the appointment of senior planner Lucy Bartley.

With more than five years’ experience as a town planner, Lucy joins the consultancy from Wood PLC where she worked her way up from assistant town planning consultant to senior consultant.

West Midlands delegation unveils investment opportunities at global property event

The West Midlands MIPIM delegation addressed global investors at the UK Government Pavilion at the international property conference in Cannes earlier this week, unveiling transformational investment opportunities from right across the UK’s largest regional economy; with a particular focus on accelerating the regions ambitious net zero agenda.

West Midlands e-scooter trial set to be launched

Swedish company Voi has been appointed to operate e-scooters in the West Midlands, it was announced today. The trial will launch to the public in Birmingham and Coventry next week and be rolled-out across the region soon after.

E-scooters will be rolled-out in Birmingham and Coventry from next Thursday (10 September). Soon afterwards, the scooters will be deployed in, Sandwell (West Bromwich), Solihull, Walsall, Wolverhampton and Warwickshire.

The tender process, part of the West Midlands Combined Authority concluded with the contract being offered to Voi as the sole operator. Voi launched Europe’s first dockless e-scooter service in 2018 and now operates in 45 cities across 11 countries.
The public will initially be able to access and ride e-scooters within the immediate vicinity of Birmingham and Coventry’s city centre, with an ambition to expand the trial zones as the trial progresses.

For the purpose of the trial the DfT requires a maximum speed of 15.5 mph on roads. In pedestrianised areas a lower speed limit of 5mph will be applicable. E-scooters are allowed on any 30 mph or less road, however the council have advised users to use designated cycle routes wherever possible.

Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street, said: “The West Midlands is proud to be leading the way on future transport development, and it is great to be able to partner with Voi and reveal our plans for e-scooters across the region.

“E-scooters will help bring more flexibility, choice, and greener travel solutions for the West Midlands.

Its unquestionably offer a healthier, more environmentally friendly, alternative to the car for shorter journeys around our towns and cities and It’s a great coup for the West Midlands to be at the forefront of the Government’s e-scooter trial. I look forward to work with Voi and local authorities to make sure we maximise the potential.”

The Department of Transport passed legislation earlier this year to accelerate the deployment of e-scooter trials across the UK and Birmingham City Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport and the Environment, Councillor Waseem Zaffar, said: “This is brilliant news for the West Midlands, and I am delighted that Birmingham will be one of the first UK cities to trial e-scooters. This provides the public with yet another green alternative to private car, supporting social distancing but also helping to reduce pollution levels and improve air quality.

“Working with our partners, we have managed to turn this project around really quickly and made sure that safety is absolutely paramount. I hope the people of Birmingham will embrace this new, environmentally-friendly way of getting around our city.”

Up to 10,000 e-scooters are due to be deployed across the region over the course of the trial. Birmingham and Coventry will initially start with 200 each, with demand monitored by Voi – working closely with Local Authorities.

Riders will need a provisional or full driving licence to unlock an e-scooter. They will cost £1 to unlock and 20p per minute to ride, however there will be reduced rates for NHS workers, students and those on low incomes. Those who are looking to use the e-scooters regularly can have unlimited rides for £40 per month. Private e-scooters will not be permitted as part of the trial.

To make sure that e-scooters are introduced as safely as possible, Voi has gone over and above Government requirements on age limits, insurance and rider verification. Voi will provide in person and online rider education, provide rider identity verification and will make #RideLikeVoila - its online traffic school - available to users in the West Midlands.

Lucy Yu, Voi’s Director of Public Policy, said: “In the UK, 60 per cent of car journeys are between one and three miles, which significantly increases congestion. Cars no longer suit the way we live today, and we estimate that 20 per cent of short journeys could be replaced by low-carbon e-scooters with a minimum five-year lifespan. E-scooters provide a compelling alternative that will outrun the car.”

Voi is also committed to upholding West Midlands Combined Authority’s health and safety policy to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the region. Voi is adding Shieldex Copper-Tape to the handlebars of its e-scooters, which kill 99.98% of coronavirus on contact, and all e-scooters will be disinfected every 24 hours.

The trial is due to run for 12 months. It will be closely reviewed by the Department of Transport and Transport for West Midlands working closely with local authorities and stakeholders, with a view to establishing longer-term options for e-scooters in the region.

West Midlands economy faces £166 million hit from key worker pay cuts this year – TUC analysis

New analysis published by the TUC reveals the economic hit to the West Midlands from government plans to cut pay rises for key workers in the public sector. A total of £1.3 billion will be cut from key worker pay settlements in England this year, following announcements made by the chancellor in November 2020.

The analysis calculates the hit to the economy from the difference in economic activity expected if pay settlements go ahead in full, compared with if the chancellor implements the cuts. To allow comparisons between different regions and constituencies, the TUC calculated and ranked the effective loss of spending power per head compared to the previous year.

For the year April 2021 to March 2022:

·         The hit for England is -£1.7 billion

·         The hit for the West Midlands is -£166 million

·         The average hit per West Midlands constituency is -£2.8 million

·         Of the top 30 worst hit parliamentary seats in England, seven are in the West Midlands: Birmingham Ladywood, Stoke-on-Trent Central, Birmingham Edgbaston, Wolverhampton North East, Dudley North.

Data for the specific hit to each West Midlands constituency can be found through the link in the notes below. Millions of key workers who kept the country going through the pandemic will lose the pay rises they were expecting.

The TUC is encouraging the chancellor to reconsider, and to commit to policies that will improve pay and conditions for all key workers.

These should include:

·         Fair pay rises for key workers in the public sector – with a plan to restore wages to their levels before austerity

·         Guarantee that all outsourced public sector workers get a pay rise so that they earn at least the real Living Wage

·         Action to ensure that every key worker in every sector gets a pay rise, including raising the national minimum wage to at least £10 per hour

·         Ban zero-hour contracts – and use the long-awaited employment bill to strengthen rights to fair working conditions for key workers

The TUC argues that cutting key worker pay weakens wage growth for other workers too – especially those in jobs that directly depend on consumer spending.

If public sector key workers are forced to tighten their belts, the reduced spending hits businesses too. And that impacts on other workers’ pay.

The TUC says that the chancellor must not repeat the mistakes of the 2010s. Millions of public sector workers saw their pay capped by George Osborne. They lost thousands of pounds – and the knock-on impact was wages falling across the economy and the worst slump in living standards in more than 200 years.

This is particularly important for parts of the country that the government has promised to level up, as the analysis shows that restricting pay rises for key workers will increase existing inequalities.

TUC Regional Secretary Lee Barron said: “Key workers have kept the West Midlands going through the pandemic. The Prime Minister clapped them, but his applause will ring hollow if he cuts their pay. It’s no way to thank them.

“We’re all part of the same pay circle. When a key worker spends their wages, it goes into other people’s pay packets. Shop staff, factory workers, delivery drivers, childminders, bar staff – right across the economy, we are all connected.

“If our key workers get the pay rises they’ve earned, it will benefit everyone. The spending boost will help our local businesses and high streets recover quickly. And it will help level up our unequal economy.”

West Midlands economy to get £330 million boost if the Chancellor reverses key worker pay cuts

Analysis published today (Friday) by the TUC shows how the West Midlands’ economic recovery can be sped up by reversing cuts to key workers’ pay.

The analysis by the TUC and Landman Economics models the economic impacts of reversing cuts to the value of public sector pay that took place over the period 2010/11 to 2020/21.

West Midlands growth company boss to address DIB audience

Downtown in Business will be joined by the Chief Executive of the West Midlands Growth Company, Neil Rami, for an exclusive roundtable lunch on Thursday 20th October at The Botanist, in Birmingham.

Neil Rami is Chief Executive of the West Midlands Growth Company.

West Midlands housing provider encourages homebuyers to get mortgage ready for 2023

New homes provider Bromford is encouraging West Midlands homebuyers to get financially fit in 2023, by sharing its top tops on how to get mortgage ready. Bromford has teamed up with independent financial advisors Mortgage Advice Bureau to offer new property seekers helpful advice on how to get mortgage ready before buying a home, helping first-time buyers to take their first steps onto the property ladder. 

West Midlands Mayor to face ‘Question Time’ at UK Construction Week Birmingham

West Midlands Mayor Andy Street has been announced as a VIP keynote speaker at UK Construction Week Birmingham (UKCW Birmingham), the UK’s largest event for the built environment, which returns to Birmingham’s NEC from 4th to 6th October 2022.

UKCW Question Time with Andy Street will take place on the main stage on Thursday 6th October, and will see Mr Street answering Midanders' major construction questions on the Future Homes Strategy; the Housing and Land Board; careers and skills; infrastructure; transport; regeneration and much more.

West Midlands Music Board launches to boost post-pandemic recovery of region’s music industry

Culture Central has announced today the launch of the first ever West Midlands Music Board (WMMB), with an ambitious plan, led by a diverse board of high-profile West Midlands industry insiders chaired by Nick Reed the CEO of B:Music (formerly known as THSH), to foster the recovery and growth of the region’s music sector, through the ongoing restrictions and beyond the lockdown.

Until now, there has been an absence of a dedicated music board to provide the West Midlands with a collective strategic voice to advocate for, compile data on and lead the local music sector. The development of the West Midlands Music Board has been created in close consultation with local stakeholders, in recognition and response to the significant adverse impact of the pandemic on the music sector in West Midlands - which comprises festivals, music educators, record labels, venues, production, large scale and commercial stakeholders, and contributes a significant portion of the UK’s £5bn industry, with a music tourism sector that supports over 3500 jobs.

Respected West Midlands artists Lady Leshurr, Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath) and Joan Armatrading have all championed the new board with some words of support:

Lady Leshurr said: “There is an amazing music scene in the West Midlands, and we need to shout about it more. We need investment, training and opportunities for our talent to break through. It’s great to see this board come together to make that happen.”

Tony Iommi said “The West Midlands has an incredible musical history, and it is still bursting with new talent. I’m pleased to see this new board come together to make sure that music is recognised as a key part of the economy and gets the chance to thrive.”

Joan Armatrading added: “The West Midlands has always had a great music scene, but the sector has never before had a unified voice. I’m delighted to see the formation of this new board, which will ensure that the region’s musicians, fans, venues, labels, managers and freelancers are represented in every conversation about strategy and investment. Music gives the region its soul and identity, and it needs to have this voice.”

The WMMB will operate independently and cover the whole of the West Midlands, including Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Herefordshire, Sandwell, Shropshire, Solihull, Staffordshire, Stoke on Trent, Telford and Wrekin, Walsall, Warwickshire, Wolverhampton and Worcestershire. The WMMB board members include (in alphabetical order): 

Lawrence Barton – Venue Manager, Chair of Southside BID, organiser of PRIDE festival in Birmingham

Danni Brownsill – Regional representative for Music Venues Trust, music promoter, runs The Sugarmill, Stoke on Trent

Guy Dunstan –NEC Group MD for Ticketing & Arenas (The Ticket Factory, Resorts World Arena and Utilita Arena Birmingham)

Bobby Friction – Radio broadcaster, BBC Asian Network, regional talent development programmes

Holly Hollister – founder of Selextorhood  and co director of BABMAG, DJ, promoter, music communicator and connector with focus on women and emerging talent

Pete Jordan – MD, MADE Festival and Weird Science (Large scale festivals and Events)

Alicja Kaczmarek – Founder and Director, Centrala, independent arts venue
Lisa Meyer – Home of Metal and Capsule, with focus on Festivals and Music Heritage

Sarah Morgan - Tin Music and Arts in Coventry – representing Coventry Music Board

Nick Reed – WMMB chair and CEO of B:Music (formerly known as THSH)

Reuben Reynolds – Artist, producer, mentor, band leader, arranger, director and teacher, working with bands and songwriters

Despa Robinson – Talent manager, label owners, Founder & Director BE83 Music, management, recording and publishing

Louise Stamp – General Manager of O2 Academy Birmingham / O2 Institute Birmingham (Academy Music Group)

Nick Reed, WMMB chair & CEO of B:Music said: “The board aims to represent a unique identity, by placing music and the wider night-time economy in the West Midlands at the heart of national and regional strategy. We will work to ensure that decisions around investment, training, planning and skills allow our incredible music sector to flourish and grow, creating jobs and sustainable careers here in the West Midlands. A key part of our work will be ensuring that these careers are open and inclusive to all. From the national levelling up agenda to local transport policy, the WMMB will speak with a unified voice for music in the region. We are coming together at a time when the postponement of Stage 4 is causing profound and extended hardship for everyone in our sector. There has never been a more important time to unite, and I am delighted to chair the board, and to be working with such a talented group of people.”

Bobby Friction, WMMB board member and broadcaster added "It's an absolute honour to serve the city and region that’s given me so much over the years, and welcomed me as one of its own. Birmingham is without doubt THE British city of the future. The future success of the United Kingdom and our brilliant city are inextricably interwoven with each other and by working with my other board members, we will ensure the economy, the arts and the people of the West Midlands make the next few decades a UK success story."

The WMMB’s mission is to champion the region’s music industry and ecosystem, protect and promote music industry development at grassroots level and work with local authorities, institutions and government to develop regional data, policies and advocacy. It has prioritised four key objectives: 

ECONOMIC GROWTH AND RECOVERY: Increase the value of the West Midlands music economy and advocate for support across recovery conversations.

INCLUSION: Support equity, diversity and inclusion across the music ecosystem in all forms and functions and be deliberate and intentional in these aims. 

REPRESENTATION: Representation of the West Midlands music industry and ecosystem locally, regionally and nationally.

ADVOCACY: Collect and compile relevant data to support increased investment in the wider music ecosystem and industry in the region.

West Midlands network launch to provide businesses with multimillion pound support

Over 1,000 established business owners and entrepreneurs in the West Midlands will attend a business support event in Coventry to help expand and scale up their operations.

West Midlands new homes provider shares top benefits of Shared Ownership

New homes provider Bromford is sharing some of the top reasons why Shared Ownership is an ideal option for property seekers on a budget when compared to private renting.

Shared Ownership gives first-time buyers and those who do not currently own a property the opportunity to secure a new build home with Bromford. Homebuyers pay a mortgage on the share they own, and pay rent on the remaining share, meaning only a smaller deposit is required.

West Midlands new homes provider shares top tips for dealing with stress when moving home

April is National Stress Awareness Month in the UK and new homes provider Bromford is marking the occasion by sharing its top tips on dealing with the stress that can come with moving home. Catherine Jarrett, Director of Sales and Marketing at Bromford, said: “Buying a new home and making the move to a new community is very exciting and wonderful experience.

West Midlands NHS workers appeal for public support on pay, says UNISON

Health workers across the West Midlands are appealing to the public this week to back their campaign so NHS staff can receive a proper pay rise before the summer, says UNISON.  

Over the next few days, hospital porters, clerical workers, cleaners, nurses, healthcare assistants and other NHS staff will be urging people to contact their local MPs to keep up the pay pressure on the government. Health workers in Scotland will soon receive a wage rise – of at least 4% – backdated to December after the government there found extra resources to fund the increase.   

NHS staff in the rest of the UK are not so fortunate, says UNISON. The Prime Minister insists everyone else must wait until the NHS pay review body reports, which won’t be until at least July. Health workers were due a pay rise at the beginning of last month – almost seven weeks ago, says UNISON. 
 

The union’s been making the case for a minimum wage boost of at least £2,000 for staff. The government’s suggested an increase of just 1%. By now, NHS staff would be £250 better off if UNISON’s 2k pay claim had been implemented on April 1. 

Instead, staff feel increasingly taken for granted, worn out by the pandemic and overwhelmed at tackling the Covid backlog of cancelled appointments and operations. As a result, many may soon leave the NHS altogether, fears UNISON. Although there’s now significantly fewer Covid patients in hospital than at the January peak, the pressure is still very much on staff, says UNISON.  

Figures published last week show waiting lists are the longest ever. Across the Midlands, more than 361,000 people are now having to wait more than 18 weeks for treatment. Over 84,500 have been waiting over a year.    

Health workers will be touring Birmingham, Stoke, Nuneaton, Walsall, Shrewsbury, Coventry and Wolverhampton in a campaign bus this week and next. This is to garner public support and send a strong message to the government that NHS staff deserve better. 

UNISON West Midlands head of health Chanel Willis said: “NHS staff have given their all during the pandemic. They’ll continue to do so to clear the backlog caused by Covid. But despite their incredible efforts, the government says a meagre 1% rise is all they’re worth.    

“The length of waiting lists across the West Midlands shows the huge challenges still facing the NHS. A decent wage increase paid soon could stop staff feeling unloved and taken for granted, and perhaps be enough to persuade many thinking of walking to stay.”  

Staff in UNISON branches based in NHS hospitals, ambulance stations and clinics across the West Midlands are using social media and taking part in socially distanced events.